Oral History Program

Over 400 oral histories supplement the written historical record, offering insights into actual workings of the legislative and executive processes. Interviewees include such important public figures as Ronald Reagan, Edmund G. Brown, Sr., long–time legislator Ralph Dills, Proposition 13 champion Paul Gann, California author Carey McWilliams, former Superintendent of Public Instruction Wilson Riles, and many others.

Since 1986, the California State Archives has administered a legislatively established oral history program (Chapter 965, Statutes of 1985) that has completed over 200 interviews to date. This systematic and disciplined effort to record, preserve, and make interviews available supplements the historical records in the Archives and provides researchers with a broader and more complete picture of California government than can be gleaned from documents alone.

Interview subjects are people who have had a significant role in California state government: former members of the legislature, constitutional officers, agency and department heads, and others who have shaped public policy and/or are identified as being influential in political and public developments at the statewide level. They are selected on a non–partisan basis, with the goal of illuminating key aspects of California government history. The information captured in their interviews prevents information loss and even "corporate amnesia" for future generations of Californians and California government. It also enhances the historical understanding of legislative and executive processes and policy–making in California by capturing the insights of these men and women.

While the program is administered centrally through the State Archives where professional staff analyze gaps in the historical record, set interview priorities and standards, and preserve tapes and transcripts; interviews are mainly carried out through contracts with oral history programs at several participating universities. Interviewers adhere to professional oral history principles, standards, and ethical guidelines. They do meticulous background research, identify key questions and areas of interest, conduct the interviews, and prepare accurate interview transcriptions that are reviewed and approved by the subject. The tape recordings and finished transcripts are deposited at the State Archives where they are open to research by the public. Transcripts are available at the California State Library and the libraries of the participating universities as well.

Recently released Oral History transcripts

Agnos discusses his background, education, working with Leo McCarthy and accomplishments while serving initially as a California State assemblyman, Mayor of San Francisco and then as a Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Elizabeth (Liz) Hill discusses her family background and early years, involvement in student government, and her university experiences. She talks about her interest in state government, joining the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the history and function of the Office. Hill discusses her changing roles within the Legislative Analyst’s Office, its non-partisan environment, facing challenging financial times, and the interaction with other parts of state government. She also reflects on institutional memory and the art of compromise and discusses her activities after her retirement from her post as Legislative Analyst.